Water scam warning

Fake water agents may be planning scams against unwary customers, the San Diego County Water Authority warned last week.

Residents can protect themselves by checking the credentials of anyone who claims to be a water official by verifying their identity and purpose with the water authority or other water agency.

In five recent instances, the water authority or other San Diego water agencies received calls about people posing as water officials, and offering to test their water for pollution or contamination. Four of those were in North County, the water authority reported.

Water officials said the imposters may have been looking for opportunities for theft or fraud, although they said there have been no reports of damages so far.

The North County Times reported similar incidents in 2007, and a water official said at that time that the fake water agents may have been thieves scoping homes for future robberies, or scam artists trying to sell pricey and ineffective water filtering systems.

Utility scams include requests for bill payment by credit card, or pitches for products and services.

The Water Authority and its member agencies aren’t responsible for fixing problems or testing inside private residences and rarely ask to enter, the authority warned. And they would schedule any home visits by phone beforehand.

They advise residents to refuse entry to anyone asking to enter their home, check identification, and ask for a supervisor’s phone number to verify their visit. Residents should also see whether the number provided matches that of their water agency.

Residents who aren’t sure what water agency serves their property can go to sdcwa.org and enter their address under “find your water district.”